WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

As we enter 2024, we must be optimistic and resilient about reaching our goals with better health and better choices with our finances. And to help you get a head start, I caught up with Angela Huntley. She’s the marketing and communications manager for the Center for Creative Economy. The nonprofit helps launch, grow, and accelerate creative entrepreneurs and businesses, and in 2024 they’re launching a program designed just for you.

What is the Pathways for Entrepreneurial Success?

Pathways is a free, inclusive entrepreneurial mindset training program with community partners and business mentors. It serves as a catalyst for training and to guide participants to resources available in the Winston-Salem Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. The program is managed by New Journey Management Group with chief strategist, Joy Nelson Thomas.

Who is hosting the Pathways program?

The Center for Creative Economy (CCE) is the host for this new program which begins in January. CCE provides programs for inception and early-stage business training to expand the capacity of creatives to emerge as viable entrepreneurs. Our inclusive, customized education and mentorship programs fulfill our mission to ‘Launch, Accelerate and Grow’ a diverse range of creative entrepreneurs and business owners.

How do I know if Pathways is right for me?

Pathways is for those interested in starting a business who live in the city of Winston-Salem. It focuses on the entrepreneurial mindset, which is a set of skills that enable people to identify and make the most of opportunities, overcome and learn from setbacks, and succeed in a variety of settings.

What can participants expect to take away from the Pathways program?

The Pathways program takes place over six weeks and focuses on equipping future entrepreneurs with a business mindset, immersing participants in experiences that cultivate creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving, promoting effective communication and accountability, introducing participants to local community partners and resources that can be tapped into following the program.

Who can qualify for the Pathways program?

Because participation in Pathways is FREE and supported by the City of Winston-Salem Economic Development funds, to qualify participants’ total household income must fall in the low-to-moderate range.

Where and when are the classes hosted?

The program is offered in winter 2024 and spring 2024. The winter 2024 cohort will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.  Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings in an East Winston location.

How can participants register for the program?

Application deadline for the winter 2024 session is Jan. 2, 2024, at 11:59 a.m. To apply visit CCETriad.com.

When did this program begin and why did Pathways see the need?

Pathways is a pilot program supported by the City of Winston-Salem Economic Development funds with the goal of working with community partners to forge a clearer path for individuals to enter the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Besides training, what can Pathways offer participants?

At the end of the training sessions there will be two $500 awards given as seed money to the participants with the most developed business idea. That money can be used to help get the business set up.

What if I am already a business owner, can I participate in Pathways?

Anyone who lives in Winston-Salem and meets the program specifications can participate. If you have questions, you may contact the program administrators at Pathways@ccetriad.com.

What types of business ideas are appropriate for the Pathways program?

We welcome most all business ideas. However, CCE has a 12-year history working with creative entrepreneurs and we encourage those with business ideas that fall in the following categories to apply: apparel, fashion & design, content creators, digital tools and media creatives, health tech, beauty & wellness, arts & entertainment industry, culinary and food innovation. 

What commitment are participants in the program expected to make?

All participants are expected to attend all six training sessions, come with an open mind and the willingness to find creative solutions to solve a problem.

My phenomenal Nonprofit of the Week is the Center for Creative Economy. For more information, visit www.CCETriad.com.